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Our Journey Online - September 8, 2014

2014Sep 08

COMMENTS

God’s Invitation

11The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13if we are faithless, he remains faithful—for he cannot deny himself. —2 Timothy 2:11-13

Each of the promises from God can usually be summarized in a word. Here's the first one: Invitation. When we look at Jeremiah 33:2, God Himself is giving the invitation: “Thus says the LORD,”which is God’s way of saying, “Jeremiah, take a memo.” It’s likely that your Bible has the title Lordrepeatedly written in capital letters, “Thus says the Lordwho made the earth, the LORDwho formed it to establish it, the LORDis His name” (v.2). This is an abbreviated profile for God. He is the One with the creative power to make the earth, the sustaining power to form and establish it, and the “I AM” nature which makes Him like no other. The LORD is talking! This title ,”LORD” is God's personal, covenant name. That's God making a covenant commitment to you. If you have turned from your sin and embraced Jesus Christ by faith for your forgiveness, God has made a covenant with you. He has said, “I have sworn by My own name" (see Hebrews 6:13-20). God has promised to do some things for you. Now it doesn't matter what you've done because God has made some commitments regardless of your past. This is good news since we have all done some things that we regret.

The enemy would say to us, "Because of what you did, it's over with you and God."

But God says, "I am the LORD. I have made a covenant with you." Our relationship with God may look like simple exchange of affection between two parties, but the truth is we can’t keep up our end of things. We can’t match anything God does for us. But God does His part even when we fail to do ours. Paul captured how this works in 2 Timothy 2:11-13, “If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us;if we are faithless, He remains faithful—for He cannot deny Himself.” God has made a covenant with us and He will not deny Himself. This is an awesome promise. —James MacDonald

Journal

Take some time to meditate on each of the phrases in 2 Timothy 2:11-13. How do they match my experience with Christ?

Prayer- Father, I quiet myself before You right now in awe and fear, knowing I desperately need Your constant help in the dying with You and living with You part of that promise. Thank You for revealing to us that You will never deny Yourself, despite our faithlessness. I’m living and believing that You’re holding on to me so much more than I am holding on to You! And for that, I am forever grateful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What if you believed—truly believed with all confidence that God is with you? How would today go for you if you knew without a doubt that God is in control? What would be different in your life if you were sure God is watching and good? What would you risk if you were certain God is victorious?

Just how would believing God’s promises change your life?

Ask the greatest Christian you’ll ever meet if they hold on to God’s promises and they’ll all say yes. Believing that God will do what He promises leads to a great life. The greatest Christian you’ll every meet knows, treasures, and is resting in the promises of God. They cling to these assurances that God gives His people so they can walk by faith while they wait for Him to work.

So what exactly does God promise? In this topical study of what will always be true, Pastor James MacDonald will explore five great and precious promises that God keeps. Enter into this study with anticipation and faith that the God who makes these promises is faithful and true... always true.